Columbia International University Athletics

By Gordie Frierson 

CIU Head Men's Basketball Coach Tony Stockman announced the 2019-2020 CIU men's basketball schedule this week. The Rams 2018 - 2019 season saw them go 18 -16 overall and make a run to the NCCAA National Championship Tournament. CIU will be playing its second year of a grueling Appalachian Athletic Conference schedule. The non-conference schedule for the Rams will prove to be just as tough. The Rams play 5 NCAA Division 1 exhibition games including a matchup with the nearby University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Coach Stockman commented "We are very excited about this upcoming season. We have high-quality opponents on our schedule this year. We are especially looking forward to having the chance to play against a team like USC and one of the top coaches in the country, Frank Martin."

CIU will open the season at home on October 26th against non - conference opponent Carolina Christian College. Four days later, the Rams will travel a few short miles to take on the University of South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on October 30th. This will be the first-ever contest on the hardwood between the two schools despite their close proximity. The Gamecocks are coming off of an 11-7 record in the Southeastern Conference and a 16-16 record overall. 

The Rams will face off against two more Division 1 opponents in the first 8 days of November in the form of  Charleston Southern University on November 5th and Mercer University on the 8th. Charleston Southern has been CIU's most consistent non-conference opponents as the Rams will go up against the Bucs for the 7th straight season. 

November 16th will see the Rams take on the newest member of the AAC, Kentucky Christian, in the Moore Fitness Center. The Rams are unbeaten against the Crusaders with the only matchup being a 90-83 CIU victory during the 2014-2015 season. CIU will move on to take on Furman University on November 22nd and Middle Tennessee State on December 3rd in exhibition play. 

CIU will face a stern in-conference test December 7th as the Rams go up against the defending AAC champions Union College at the Moore Fitness Center. Union enters the season as the 9th ranked NAIA basketball team in the country. 

The Rams open 2020 on January 2nd against Truett-McConnell University at home. CIU split their two meetings with TMU during the 2018-2019 season.  January 9th through the 15th will give the Rams a much-needed home-stand as they take on Point University, Bryan College, and Allen University at CIU in the span of 6 days. 

Despite facing NCAA D1 opponents during the first half of the season, conference play in February very well could prove to be the most challenging stretch for the Rams. CIU will face Union College in Barbourville, KY on February 1st and then make the quick turnaround against the NAIA 18th ranked Montreat Cavaliers on the 5th. The Rams will have the luxury of playing 3 out of their last 4 games at home before traveling to Bluefield College in Virginia for the final game of the year. 

The AAC Men's Basketball Tournament will be held from February 26 - 29 in Kingsport, Tennessee. CIU will also have the chance to participate in the NCCAA South Region Tournament and the NCCAA National Tournament.